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Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Morgan Freeman has long become a household name with his inimitable voice and impressive acting skills. He turns 80 on June 1 - and has almost half a century in show business to look back on. Here are some highlights.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

The Electric Company (1971)

Morgan Freeman (far right) launched his career in acting with the 1970s educational series "The Electric Company." The humerous show also featured Bill Cosby (second from left) and was directed at an audience of school children learning key language skills. It is said, however, that Freeman does not look back kindly on those early years of light entertainment and sketch comedy.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Brubaker (1980)

Morgan Freeman had his silver screen debut playing opposite Robert Redford in "Brubaker." The movie was loosely based on the 1967 prison scandal, detailing forced labor, corruption, rape and extrajudicial killings at Arkansas' penitentiaries at the time. Freeman's performance as a deranged inmate showcased his refined acting skills at this early point in his development.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

One of the roles that Freeman is best remembered for is "Driving Miss Daisy," which went on to score numerous awards. Freeman himself was nominated for an Oscar for best actor and won a Golden Globe award in the same category. The legendary film explores shades of racism in the Deep South spanning from the years immediately after World War II to the height of the civil rights movement.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Street Smart (1987)

Freeman considers his role in "Street Smart" the pivotal moment of his career. He was nominated for an Academy Award as well as a Golden Globe for his role as a pimp trying to strike a deal with a reporter, played by the late Christopher Reeve. Critics lauded the movie as one of the most immersive film experiences of the 1980s - thanks in no small part to Freeman's performance.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Freeman could not escape typecasting when it came to his supporting role in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." He plays Azeem, sidekick to the famed altruist of Sherwood Forest, portrayed by Kevin Costner. Despite receiving praise for Freeman's performance, the film got mixed reviews at the time of its release. In the end, however, the film became a vehicle to propel both actors' careers.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Considered one of the best movies of the 1990s, "The Shawshank Redemption" brought together two of the tallest actors in Hollywood: Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins. The film is as much of a feel-good movie as a prison story can be with an elaborate plot that takes the audience on a 142-minute journey through the realities of incarceration in the United States in the mid-20th century.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Seven (1995)

Starring opposite Brad Pitt in "Seven," Morgan Freeman played the role of a near-retirement-age cop investigating a series of murders inspired by the seven deadly sins from the Old Testament. Part psycho-thriller and part neo-noir, the genre-bending film was a big success at the box office and with critics alike. Freeman proved how he had matured as an actor over the previous 15 years.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Deep Impact (1998)

Having paid his dues in supporting roles, Morgan Freeman displayed the full scope of authority and poise only he can demand with his stunning performance as US President Tom Beck in "Deep Impact." The movie chronicles the approach of a comet threatening to extinguish all life on Earth. Freeman's performance makes for gripping storytelling, complementing the movie's outstanding special effects.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Bruce Almighty (2003)

Freeman played God in "Bruce Almighty" in a role that brilliantly combined his famous gravitas with his more light-hearted nature. The film tells the story of Bruce Nolan (played by Jim Carey) trying to gain back control of his life using God's powers - awarded to him by the Almighty himself. Freeman reprised the same role four years later in "Evan Almighty," which follows a similar pattern.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Older and wiser, Freeman started embracing the kinds of roles that would have him playing mentor figures. In "Million Dollar Baby" he coaches a female boxer (played by Hillary Swank), who eventually reaches the top of her game - only to come to a tragic end. The movie performed remarkably well and reaped numerous accolades, with Freeman winning an Oscar as best supporting actor.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

The Bucket List (2007)

Getting Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman to star alongside each other is a real treat for any bonafide movie enthusiast. But to see them take on such difficult subjects as terminal illness and unfulfilled desires with humor and spirit makes "The Bucket List" one of the best movies of its time.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Invictus (2010)

Another career highlight for Morgan Freeman: In 2010, he got to play South African President Nelson Mandela in "Invictus," earning another Oscar nomination. The movie is set right after the end of apartheid as Mandela tries to get the nation to back the traditionally white-dominated sport of rugby for the World Cup. The quality of Freeman's South African accent is, however, up for debate.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Ben Hur (2016)

Freeman's supporting role as Sheik Ilderim in the epic international remake of "Ben Hur" shows his versatility and experience just shy of his 80th birthday. He exudes a distinct notion of power as the mentor of Judah Ben-Hur (played by Jack Huston). The movie unfortunately bombed at the box office, in part due to it being Hollywood's fifth attempt at adapting Lew Wallace's 1880 novel.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Going in Style (2017)

Morgan Freeman seems to get even better with age. In the heist comedy "Going in Style," Freeman robs a bank after his pension is canceled. Hilarious and gripping at the same time, Freeman demonstrates his prowess as a multifaceted performer once more. At age 80, the American actor still seems unstoppable. What's next for Morgan Freeman?

Author: Sertan Sanderson

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

The Electric Company (1971)

Morgan Freeman (far right) launched his career in acting with the 1970s educational series "The Electric Company." The humerous show also featured Bill Cosby (second from left) and was directed at an audience of school children learning key language skills. It is said, however, that Freeman does not look back kindly on those early years of light entertainment and sketch comedy.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Brubaker (1980)

Morgan Freeman had his silver screen debut playing opposite Robert Redford in "Brubaker." The movie was loosely based on the 1967 prison scandal, detailing forced labor, corruption, rape and extrajudicial killings at Arkansas' penitentiaries at the time. Freeman's performance as a deranged inmate showcased his refined acting skills at this early point in his development.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

One of the roles that Freeman is best remembered for is "Driving Miss Daisy," which went on to score numerous awards. Freeman himself was nominated for an Oscar for best actor and won a Golden Globe award in the same category. The legendary film explores shades of racism in the Deep South spanning from the years immediately after World War II to the height of the civil rights movement.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Street Smart (1987)

Freeman considers his role in "Street Smart" the pivotal moment of his career. He was nominated for an Academy Award as well as a Golden Globe for his role as a pimp trying to strike a deal with a reporter, played by the late Christopher Reeve. Critics lauded the movie as one of the most immersive film experiences of the 1980s - thanks in no small part to Freeman's performance.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Freeman could not escape typecasting when it came to his supporting role in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves." He plays Azeem, sidekick to the famed altruist of Sherwood Forest, portrayed by Kevin Costner. Despite receiving praise for Freeman's performance, the film got mixed reviews at the time of its release. In the end, however, the film became a vehicle to propel both actors' careers.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Considered one of the best movies of the 1990s, "The Shawshank Redemption" brought together two of the tallest actors in Hollywood: Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins. The film is as much of a feel-good movie as a prison story can be with an elaborate plot that takes the audience on a 142-minute journey through the realities of incarceration in the United States in the mid-20th century.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Seven (1995)

Starring opposite Brad Pitt in "Seven," Morgan Freeman played the role of a near-retirement-age cop investigating a series of murders inspired by the seven deadly sins from the Old Testament. Part psycho-thriller and part neo-noir, the genre-bending film was a big success at the box office and with critics alike. Freeman proved how he had matured as an actor over the previous 15 years.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Deep Impact (1998)

Having paid his dues in supporting roles, Morgan Freeman displayed the full scope of authority and poise only he can demand with his stunning performance as US President Tom Beck in "Deep Impact." The movie chronicles the approach of a comet threatening to extinguish all life on Earth. Freeman's performance makes for gripping storytelling, complementing the movie's outstanding special effects.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Bruce Almighty (2003)

Freeman played God in "Bruce Almighty" in a role that brilliantly combined his famous gravitas with his more light-hearted nature. The film tells the story of Bruce Nolan (played by Jim Carey) trying to gain back control of his life using God's powers - awarded to him by the Almighty himself. Freeman reprised the same role four years later in "Evan Almighty," which follows a similar pattern.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Older and wiser, Freeman started embracing the kinds of roles that would have him playing mentor figures. In "Million Dollar Baby" he coaches a female boxer (played by Hillary Swank), who eventually reaches the top of her game - only to come to a tragic end. The movie performed remarkably well and reaped numerous accolades, with Freeman winning an Oscar as best supporting actor.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

The Bucket List (2007)

Getting Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman to star alongside each other is a real treat for any bonafide movie enthusiast. But to see them take on such difficult subjects as terminal illness and unfulfilled desires with humor and spirit makes "The Bucket List" one of the best movies of its time.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Invictus (2010)

Another career highlight for Morgan Freeman: In 2010, he got to play South African President Nelson Mandela in "Invictus," earning another Oscar nomination. The movie is set right after the end of apartheid as Mandela tries to get the nation to back the traditionally white-dominated sport of rugby for the World Cup. The quality of Freeman's South African accent is, however, up for debate.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Ben Hur (2016)

Freeman's supporting role as Sheik Ilderim in the epic international remake of "Ben Hur" shows his versatility and experience just shy of his 80th birthday. He exudes a distinct notion of power as the mentor of Judah Ben-Hur (played by Jack Huston). The movie unfortunately bombed at the box office, in part due to it being Hollywood's fifth attempt at adapting Lew Wallace's 1880 novel.

Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films

Going in Style (2017)

Morgan Freeman seems to get even better with age. In the heist comedy "Going in Style," Freeman robs a bank after his pension is canceled. Hilarious and gripping at the same time, Freeman demonstrates his prowess as a multifaceted performer once more. At age 80, the American actor still seems unstoppable. What's next for Morgan Freeman?

Author: Sertan Sanderson

With one of the most unique appearances - and most recognizable voices in Hollywood - it's impossible to mistake Morgan Freeman when he appears on the big screen.

At 6'2" (1.88 meters), the freckle-faced Freeman often towers over his fellow actors. Or perhaps it's just his booming baritone that assumes his presence is imposing. That voice, after all, has served as the voice of God on more than one occasion.

Born on June 1, 1937, the now 80-year-old actor from the American South got his acting start at an early age, appearing in a school play in his Mississippi elementary school at the age of 12.

After moving around quite a bit and taking a few short breaks, Freeman got his first recurring role in "The Electric Company," a live-action sketch show on American public television that was aimed at teaching children phonetics and grammar.

The cast included Rita Moreno and Mel Brooks, and the work got him started on a path that wound through small screen roles on detective series, the soap opera "Ryan's World" and the sitcom "A Different World." In 1983, he even played Malcolm X in the TV movie, "Death of a Prophet."

Morgan Freeman has made lighter comedies, but also socially critical films like "Invictus"

Success on the big screen

Though Freeman had a successful career in television, he became a household name in 1989 by starring on the big screen as a chauffeur to Jessica Lange, a wealthy Jewish widow, in "Driving Miss Daisy." Taking on his southern drawl and exuding a certain charm, Freeman won over audiences and began starring in wildly different roles.

He was the voice of Frederick Douglass in the television mini-series called "Civil War." Freeman also took a leading role in the heavy film addressing the slave trade for "Amistad," and again provided the voice of Frederick Douglass in a 2003 television mini-series, "Freedom: A History of Us."

While Freeman has become a prominent voice in the black community, speaking out in recent years about police brutality, his roles are as diverse as can be. In "Bruce Almighty," he narrates as the voice of God. In "The Shawshank Redemption," he plays Red, a wise prison inmate opposite Tim Robbins.

His deep voice has made Freeman the US version of Sir David Attenborough, commanding authority every time he opens his mouth. Click through the gallery above for a look at Freeman's best films.